Arthur Honegger

March 10, 1892: Arthur Honegger is born at 86 boulevard François Ier (now destroyed) in Le Havre, Republic of France, the first of four children born to Arthur Honegger and Julie Ulrich, both Swiss. The birth certificate lists the father’s profession as “shop assistant” but he will soon be proprietor of a very successful coffee importing business.

April 28, 1915: Arthur Honegger (23) writes from Paris to his parents in Zürich. He tells them that he will not be going to Germany to continue his studies. He has decided that, after his compulsory military service in Switzerland, he will return to Paris and become a composer.

October 3, 1915: Arthur Honegger (23) returns to Paris after three months military duty in the Swiss army.

July 11, 1916: The first three of the Six poèmes for voice and piano by Arthur Honegger (24) are performed for the first time, in Salle Oedenkoven, Paris. See 15 January 1918.

December 15, 1916: Toccata et Variations for piano by Arthur Honegger (24) is performed for the first time, in Salle Oedenkoven, Paris.

April 3, 1917: Aglavaine et Sélisette, an overture by Arthur Honegger (25), is performed for the first time, at the Paris Conservatoire, conducted by the composer. See 1 June 1920.

June 6, 1917: Georges Auric, Louis Durey, and Arthur Honegger (25) organize an homage to Erik Satie (51) in Salle Huyghens. This is the beginning of the group of young composers organizing itself around Satie, soon to be called Nouveaux Jeunes.

November 17, 1917: Rhapsodie for two flutes, clarinet, and piano by Arthur Honegger (25) is performed for the first time, in the Parthénon, Paris. It is very well received.

January 15, 1918: Six Poèmes for voice and piano by Arthur Honegger (25) to words of Apollinaire, is given its first complete performance, at a concert of Les Nouveaux Jeunes, in the Théâtre du Vieux Colombier, Paris. See 11 July 1916.

January 19, 1918: The first two movements of the Violin Sonata no.1 by Arthur Honegger (25) are performed for the first time, at the Panthéon, Paris. See 19 March 1918.

March 19, 1918: Violin Sonata no.1 by Arthur Honegger (26) is performed completely for the first time, at the Théâtre du Vieux Colombier, Paris. Also on the program is the premiere of Poèmes sénégalais for voice and string quartet by Francis Poulenc (19). See 19 January 1918.

April 18, 1918: Le chant du Nigamon, a symphonic poem by Arthur Honegger (26), is performed for the first time, privately at the Paris Conservatoire the composer conducting. See 3 January 1920.

December 2, 1918: Incidental music to Méral’s play Le Dit des Jeux du Monde by Arthur Honegger (26) is performed for the first time, at the Théâtre du Vieux Colombier, Paris. It causes a scandal, complete with whistles, cheers, clapping, screaming, and fighting. Among the audience are Maurice Ravel (43), Florent Schmitt (48), Albert Roussel (49), Pablo Picasso, and Jean Cocteau. Honegger is now famous.

March 28, 1919: Incidental music to Larronde’s play La Danse macabre by Arthur Honegger (27) is performed for the first time, in Théâtre de l’Odéon, Paris.

June 20, 1919: The String Quartet no.1 of Arthur Honegger (27) is performed for the first time, in Paris.

December 19, 1919: The first international presentation of the music of Les Nouveaux Jeunes takes place at the Institut des hautes Etudes de Belgique in Brussels. Works by Erik Satie (63), Louis Durey, Georges Auric, Arthur Honegger (27), Darius Milhaud (27), Francis Poulenc (20), and Germaine Tailleferre are performed. A conference on new music accompanies the concert.

January 3, 1920: Le chant du Nigamon, a symphonic poem by Arthur Honegger (27), is performed publicly for the first time, in the Cirque d’Hiver, Paris. See 18 April 1918.

January 8, 1920: A meeting takes place in an apartment in the rue Gaillard, Paris at the invitation of the apartment’s occupant, Darius Milhaud (27). It brings together several music critics and six young composers: Milhaud, Arthur Honegger (27), Francis Poulenc (21), Louis Durey, Georges Auric and Germaine Tailleferre. They spend the afternoon and evening talking about and listening to the new music. This sees the first performance of Honegger’s Violin Sonata no.2 played by the composer and his future wife, Andrée Vaurabourg. See 28 February 1920.

February 28, 1920: Violin Sonata no.2 by Arthur Honegger (27) is performed publicly for the first time, Salle du Conservatoire, Paris by the composer and his future wife, Andrée Vaurabourg. See 8 January 1920.

March 4, 1920: Sept pièces brève, for piano by Arthur Honegger (27), is performed for the first time, in the Salle Gaveau, Paris.

March 6, 1920: At a dinner party in Paris paid for by François Bernouard, the periodical Le Coq is launched. It is an idea of Jean Cocteau and Les Six: Francis Poulenc (21), Georges Auric, Louis Durey, Arthur Honegger (25), Darius Milhaud (27), and Germaine Tailleferre. Only four issues will be produced.

June 1, 1920: Aglavaine et Sélisette, an overture by Arthur Honegger (25), is performed publicly for the first time, in the Salle Gaveau, Paris. See 3 April 1917.

October 30, 1920: An Interlude for orchestra from the unperformed opera La Mort de Sainte Alméenne by Arthur Honegger (28) is performed for the first time, in the Théâtre du Châtelet, Paris.

November 25, 1920: Vérité? Mensonge?, a marionette ballet by Arthur Honegger (28) to a story by Hellé is performed for the first time, in Salon d’Automne, Paris.

December 2, 1920: A Viola Sonata by Arthur Honegger (28) is performed for the first time, in Paris.

December 14, 1920: Sérénade for orchestra op.62 by Darius Milhaud (28) is performed for the first time, in Winterthur conducted by Arthur Honegger (28).

February 17, 1921: Pastorale d’été, a work for chamber orchestra by Arthur Honegger (28), is performed for the first time, in Salle Gaveau, Paris.

March 5, 1921: Arthur Honegger (28) signs a contract with the publisher Sénart for three of his works. Sénart will be Honegger’s chief publisher until 1946.

April 23, 1921: The Cello Sonata by Arthur Honegger (29) is performed for the first time, in the Salle du Conservatoire, Paris.

June 11, 1921: Le roi David, a dramatic psalm by Arthur Honegger (29) to words of Morax, is performed for the first time, in the Théâtre du Jorat, Mézières.

June 18, 1921: Five members of Les Six, Arthur Honegger (29), Germaine Tailleferre, Darius Milhaud (28), Francis Poulenc (22), and Georges Auric, are brought together by Jean Cocteau, each to produce a section of the ballet Les mariés de la tour Eiffel, to his scenario. The work is produced at the Théâtre des Champs-Elysées, Paris. Audience reactions are strongly mixed. Aaron Copland (20) is in the audience, but he remembers it as 19 June.

October 17, 1921: Hymne for ten stringed instruments by Arthur Honegger (29) is performed for the first time, in Paris.

October 31, 1921: Horace victorieux, a ballet by Arthur Honegger (29) to a story by Fauconnet after Livius, is performed for the first time, in a concert setting, in Lausanne. The audience is not impressed. See 28 December 1927.

December 2, 1921: Danse de chèvre for flute by Arthur Honegger (29) is performed for the first time, in the Nouveau Théâtre, Paris.

January 20, 1922: Skating Rink, a ballet by Arthur Honegger (29) to a scenario by Canudo, is performed for the first time, at the Théâtre des Champs-Elysées, Paris.

February 24, 1922: Les Pâques à New York for soprano and string quartet by Arthur Honegger (31) is performed for the first time, in New York.

June 16, 1922: Incidental music to Gide’s play Saül by Arthur Honegger (30) is performed for the first time, at the Théâtre du Vieux Colombier, Paris.

December 20, 1922: Incidental music to Cocteau’s (after Sophocles) play Antigone by Arthur Honegger (30) is performed for the first time, at the Théâtre de l’Atelier, Paris.

February 17, 1923: La Roue, a film with music by Arthur Honegger (30), is released in France.

March 27, 1923: Cantique de Pâques, a cantata by Arthur Honegger (31) to his own words, is performed for the first time, in Toulouse.

March 31, 1923: Incidental music to Rolland’s play Liluli by Arthur Honegger (31) is performed for the first time, in Salle des fêtes de Suresnes.

April 7, 1923: Chant de joie, an orchestral work by Arthur Honegger (31), is performed for the first time, in Victoria Hall, Geneva.

May 1, 1923: Prélude pour ‘La Tempête’ for orchestra by Arthur Honegger (31) is performed for the first time, at the Théâtre des Champs-Elysées, Paris.

June 5, 1923: Sonatine in A for clarinet and piano by Arthur Honegger (31) is performed for the first time, in the Salle Pleyel, Paris.

January 30, 1924: Le cahier romand for piano by Arthur Honegger (31) is performed for the first time, at the Salle Erard, Paris.

May 8, 1924: Mouvement symphonique no.1: Pacific 2.3.1., by Arthur Honegger (32), is performed for the first time, at the Paris Opéra. It is a great success and will prove to be his best-known work.

May 15, 1924: The first of the Deux poèmes de Ronsard op.26/1 for voice and flute by Albert Roussel (55), is performed for the first time, at the Théâtre du Vieux Colombier, Paris. Also premiered is the Chanson de Ronsard for voice and piano by Arthur Honegger (32). See 28 May 1924, 24 January 1925.

November 17, 1924: Six Poésies de Jean Cocteau for voice and piano by Arthur Honegger (32) are performed for the first time, in the Salle Pleyel, Paris, the composer at the keyboard.

January 24, 1925: Chanson de Ronsard for voice, flute, and string quartet by Arthur Honegger (32) is performed for the first time, in Paris. See 15 May 1924.

February 16, 1925: Trois contrepoints for piccolo, oboe, violin, and cello by Arthur Honegger (32) are performed for the first time, in Salle Erard, Paris.

March 24, 1925: Prelude et blues for four harps by Arthur Honegger (32) is performed for the first time, in Salle des agriculteurs, Paris.

May 23, 1925: Concertino for Piano and Orchestra by Arthur Honegger (33) is performed for the first time, at the Paris Opéra. The solo part is played by Andrée Vaurabourg who will marry the composer within a year.

June 13, 1925: Incidental music to Morax’s play Judith by Arthur Honegger (33) is performed for the first time, in Mézières, Switzerland, conducted by the composer. See 13 February 1926.

June 27, 1925: Arthur Honegger’s (33) ballet Sous-Marine, to a scenario by Ari, is performed for the first time, at the Opéra-Comique, Paris. Also premiered is Dance d'Abisag op.75 for orchestra by Florent Schmitt (54).

July 6, 1925: The remains of Erik Satie are buried at Cimitière d'Arcueil-Cachan in Arcueil, Val-de-Marne, attended by Charles Koechlin (57), Albert Roussel (56), Maurice Ravel (50), Arthur Honegger (33), Germaine Tailleferre, Darius Milhaud (32), Georges Auric, Jean Cocteau, and Pierre Templier (his publisher and Mayor of Arcueil). But there are far more local townsfolk on hand than celebrities. One wreath of violets carries the inscription: “To M. Satie from his fellow tenants.”

November 18, 1925: 2 Chants d’Ariel for voice and orchestra by Arthur Honegger (33) to words of Shakespeare (tr. Pourtalès) are performed for the first time, at the Palais des Fêtes, Strasbourg.

January 15, 1926: Arthur Honegger (33) writes the following note: In case of accident or sudden death, I declare that I am the father of Claire Croiza’s child. A.Honegger. Claire Croiza is a vocalist and actress and not the woman he is presently in a relationship with.

February 13, 1926: Judith, a biblical opera by Arthur Honegger (33) to words of Morax, is performed for the first time, in Monaco. See 11 June 1925.

March 24, 1926: Chanson de Fagus for voice, string quartet, and piano by Arthur Honegger (34) is performed for the first time, in the Salle Gaveau, Paris.

April 19, 1926: Incidental music to d’Annunzio’s (tr. Doderet) play Phaedre by Arthur Honegger (34) is performed for the first time, at the Teatro Costanzi, Rome the composer conducting.

May 10, 1926: Arthur Honegger (34) marries Andrée “Vaura” Vaurabourg, a pianist, in the mairie of the 17th arrondissement, Paris. He already has a son by a previous liaison.

June 16, 1926: Pour le Cantique de Salomon for reciter and chamber group by Arthur Honegger (34) is performed for the first time, in Salle Gaveau, Paris.

October 21, 1926: Concerto for flute and orchestra by Carl Nielsen (61) is performed for the first time, in the Salle Gaveau, Paris. Short of time, the composer has created a provisional ending. Arthur Honegger (34) will tell the composer, “You formulated the aims for which we are all striving now, a generation before the rest of us.” See 25 January 1927.

February 18, 1927: Incidental music to de Bouhélier’s play L’Impératrice aux Rochers by Arthur Honegger (34) is performed for the first time, at the Paris Opéra. See 18 May 1928.

March 20, 1927: Arthur Honegger (35) presents his opera Antigone to the Opéra-Comique. They reject it almost immediately. See 28 December 1927.

March 26, 1927: Trois chansons de la petite Sirène for voice, flute, and string quartet by Arthur Honegger (35) to words of Morax (after Andersen), are performed for the first time, for a marionette show at the Salle Pleyel, Paris directed by the composer.

April 7, 1927: Napoléon, a film with music by Arthur Honegger (35), is shown for the first time, during a glittering evening at the Paris Opéra.

December 28, 1927: Antigone, an opera by Arthur Honegger (35) to words of Cocteau (after Sophocles), is performed for the first time, at the Théâtre de la Monnaie, Brussels. Press and public are mixed.

January 11, 1928: Horace victorieux, a ballet by Arthur Honegger (35) to a story by Fauconnet after Livius, is staged for the first time, in the Essen Stadttheater. See 31 October 1921.

May 18, 1928: An orchestral suite from the incidental music to Imperatrice aux rochers by Arthur Honegger (36) is performed for the first time, in Paris. See 27 February 1927.

June 3, 1928: Roses de (en) métal, a ballet by Arthur Honegger (36) to a story by de Gramont, is performed for the first time, in Salle Oedenkoven, Paris.

October 19, 1928: Mouvement symphonique no.2: Rugby, an orchestral work by Arthur Honegger (36), is performed for the first time, in Paris.

November 22, 1928: Maurice Ravel’s (53) sensually stimulating ballet Boléro is performed for the first time, at the Paris Opéra. Also premiered is Arthur Honegger’s (36) ballet Les noces d’amour et de psyché to a scenario by Rubinstein, and Darius Milhaud’s (36) ballet La bien-aimée. See 11 January 1930.

December 19, 1928: An orchestral suite from the incidental music to Phaedre by Arthur Honegger (36) is performed for the first time, in Utrecht, conducted by the composer.

December 26, 1928: Arthur Honegger (36) and his wife depart Le Havre for a three-month visit to the United States.

January 10, 1929: Arthur Honegger (36) conducts the first of three all-Honegger concerts with the Boston Symphony Orchestra, this one in Cambridge. His wife Vaura plays the Concertino for piano and orchestra.

January 13, 1929: Arthur Honegger (36) and his wife travel by train from Boston to New York. The composer rides as far as Providence in the locomotive.

January 26, 1929: Suite for two pianos by Arthur Honegger (36), adapted from his incidental music to L’Impératrice aux rochers, is performed for the first time, in Detroit by the composer and his wife, Andrée “Vaura” Vaurabourg.

March 6, 1929: Before a concert of his chamber music in Houston, Arthur Honegger (36) gives a lecture in English at Rice University.

March 28, 1929: Arthur Honegger (37) and his wife depart New York for France aboard the Rochambeau. They have spent the last three months performing his music throughout the United States.

April 13, 1929: Two works for voice and piano by Albert Roussel (60) are performed for the first time, in the Salle l’Ancien Conservatoire, Paris, to celebrate the composer’s 60th birthday: Vocalise no.2 and O bon vin, ou as-tu crû?, to anonymous words. On the same program is the first performance of Arthur Honegger’s (37) piano work Hommage à Albert Roussel.

December 11, 1929: A concert celebrating the ten years of Les Six takes place in the Théâtre des Champs-Elysées, Paris. Music by Georges Auric, Germaine Tailleferre, Francis Poulenc (30), Darius Milhaud (37), Louis Durey, and Arthur Honegger (37) is heard.

December 26, 1929: Incidental music to Shakespeare’s (tr. Pourtalès) play The Tempest by Arthur Honegger (37) is performed for the first time, at the Monte Carlo Opera.

January 25, 1930: Le chasseur perdu en forêt, a song for voice and orchestra by Arthur Honegger (37) to words of Fort, is performed for the first time, at the Théâtre des Champs-Elysées, Paris.

February 17, 1930: Cello Concerto by Arthur Honegger (37) is performed for the first time, in Boston.

August 15, 1930: Arthur Honegger (38) and his wife arrive in Buenos Aires from France. They will concertize until 7 October.

September 2, 1930: Arthur Honegger (38) and his wife give the first of three all-Honegger concerts at Teatro Colón, Buenos Aires.

October 7, 1930: After six weeks of concertizing, Arthur Honegger (38) and his wife depart Buenos Aires for Lisbon aboard the Massilia.

December 12, 1930: Arthur Honegger’s (38) operetta Les aventures du roi Pausole, to words of Willemetz, after Louÿs, is performed for the first time, at the Bouffes-Parisiennes, Paris.

February 13, 1931: Symphony no.1 by Arthur Honegger (38), composed to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, is performed for the first time, in Boston.

May 3, 1931: Cris du monde, a stage oratorio by Arthur Honegger (39) to words of Bizet, is performed for the first time, in Solthurn.

May 30, 1931: La Belle de Moudon, an operetta by Arthur Honegger (39) to words of Morax, is performed for the first time, in the Théâtre du Jorat, Mézières.

June 23, 1931: Amphion, a ballet melodrama by Arthur Honegger (39) to a scenario by Valéry, is performed for the first time, at the Paris Opéra.

November 26, 1932: Prelude, arioso, fughette sur le nom de Bach for piano by Arthur Honegger (40) is performed for the first time, in a children’s concert in the Salle de Géographie, Paris by the composer’s wife Vaura. See 5 December 1936.

December 16, 1932: Sonatine for violin and cello by Arthur Honegger (40) is performed for the first time, at the inaugural performance of Triton, a society dedicated to modern chamber music, in Paris. It was formed by Honegger, Darius Milhaud (40), Francis Poulenc (33), and Sergey Prokofiev (41).

February 5, 1933: A suite from the ballet Les noces d’Amour et Psyche by Arthur Honegger (40) is performed for the first time, in Paris.

March 26, 1933: Mouvement symphonique no.3 by Arthur Honegger (41) is performed for the first time, in Berlin. Owing to the new cultural atmosphere in Germany, the work is not received well.

December 27, 1933: Les 12 coups de minuit, a radio mystery by Arthur Honegger (41) to words of Larronde, is performed for the first time, over the airwaves of Radio-Colonial originating in Paris.

May 11, 1934: Arthur Honegger’s (42) ballet pantomime Sémiramis, to a scenario by Valery is performed for the first time, at the Paris Opéra. It is not a success.

September 22, 1934: While on a driving tour of Spain northeast of Madrid, with his wife and Roland-Manuel, Arthur Honegger (42) blows a tire on his Bugatti and drives into a tree. The two men are thrown into a nearby field and suffer minor injuries. Vaura Honegger, a professional pianist, breaks both knees and suffers many other fractures. She will not walk for eleven months.

January 19, 1935: A suite from Arthur Honegger’s (42) film score Les misérables is performed for the first time, in the Salle Rameau, Paris.

March 4, 1935: Radio-Panoramique for orchestra by Arthur Honegger (42) is performed for the first time, in a concert broadcast live over the airwaves of Radio Geneva. See 19 October 1935.

May 10, 1935: Les 12 coups de minuit, a radio mystery by Arthur Honegger (41) to words of Larronde, is performed for the first time before a live audience, in Conservatory Concert Hall, Paris.

July 9, 1935: Icare, a ballet by Arthur Honegger (43) to a story by Lifar, is performed for the first time, in the Paris Opéra. It is based on rhythms provided to him by the choreographer Serge Lifar. Honegger is simultaneously working on Jeanne d’Arc au bucher which is also intended for the Opéra. Ida Rubinstein considers that an exclusive contract and objects to another work by Honegger being presented there. So Icare is presented today under the name of the conductor, JE Szyfer.

October 19, 1935: Radio-Panoramique, for orchestra by Arthur Honegger (43) is performed for the first time before a live audience, in Paris. See 4 March 1935.

October 29, 1935: Jeanne d’Arc au bucher, a stage oratorio by Arthur Honegger (46) to words of Claudel, is performed for the first time, privately in Ida Rubinstein’s house in Paris. See 12 May 1938.

April 15, 1936: A little more than a year after they moved in, Vaura and Pascale Honegger resume their practice of not living with their husband and father, Arthur Honegger (44). They find an apartment nearby in Paris.

April 30, 1936: Nocturne for orchestra by Arthur Honegger (44) is performed for the first time, in Brussels.

July 14, 1936: Incidental music to Roland’s play Le quatorze juillet by Charles Koechlin (68), Albert Roussel (67), Jacques Ibert (45), Arthur Honegger (44), Darius Milhaud (43), Daniel Lazarus (38), and Georges Auric (37) is performed for the first time, in the Alhambra, Paris.

December 5, 1936: Prelude, arioso, fughette sur le nom de Bach for string orchestra by Arthur Honegger (44) is performed for the first time, in Salle Gaveau, Paris. The original piano work was orchestrated by Arthur Hoérée. See 26 November 1932.

March 10, 1937: L’aiglon, an opera by Arthur Honegger (45) and Jacques Ibert to words of Cain after Rostand, is performed for the first time, in Monaco.

April 13, 1937: Madmoiselle Docteur, a film with music by Arthur Honegger (45), is shown for the first time, in Paris.

April 15, 1937: The Woman I Love, a film with music by Arthur Honegger (45), is released in the United States.

May 24, 1937: Un oiseau blanc s’est envolé, a ballet by Arthur Honegger (45) to a story by Guitry, is performed for the first time, at the Théâtre des Champs-Elysées, Paris.

July 9, 1937: Les Mille et Une Nuits for orchestra by Arthur Honegger (45) is performed for the first time, on the banks of the Seine in Paris for the Festival of Light and Water on the Seine. It is part of the Paris Universal Exhibition.

October 22, 1937: String Quartet no.3 by Arthur Honegger (45) is performed for the first time, in the Salle de la Réformation, Geneva.

December 21, 1937: An orchestral suite from the music to the film Regain by Arthur Honegger (45) is performed for the first time, in the Salle Gaveau, Paris.

February 2, 1938: Le cantique des cantiques, a ballet by Arthur Honegger (45) to a scenario by Boissy and Lifar, is performed for the first time, at the Paris Opéra.

February 13, 1938: Les petits cardinales, an operetta by Arthur Honegger (45) and Jacques Ibert, to words of Willemetz and Brach after Halévy, is performed for the first time, at the Bouffes-Parisiens.

May 12, 1938: Jeanne d’Arc au bucher, a stage oratorio by Arthur Honegger (46) to words of Claudel, is performed publicly for the first time, in Basel. The poet remarks, “An audience of a thousand, endless ovations.” See 29 October 1935.

November 28, 1938: Trois poèmes for voice and piano by Francis Poulenc (39) to words of Vilmorin are performed for the first time, at the Salle Gaveau, Paris the composer at the piano. Also premiered is Scenic Railway for piano by Arthur Honegger (46).

February 9, 1939: L’Or dans la montagne, a film with music by Arthur Honegger (46), is shown for the first time, in ABC Cinema, Geneva.

January 17, 1940: Cavalcade d’amour, a film with music by Arthur Honegger (48), is shown for the first time, in Paris.

January 31, 1940: Partita for two pianos by Arthur Honegger (47) is performed for the first time, in Zürich, by Franz-Josef Hirt and the composer.

February 9, 1940: Double Concerto for two string orchestras, piano, and timpani by Bohuslav Martinu (49) is performed for the first time, in Basel. Arthur Honegger (47) is in the audience and is greatly moved.

March 2, 1940: Arthur Honegger’s (47) dramatic oratorio La Danse des Morts, to words of Claudel, is performed for the first time, in Basel.

April 10, 1940: Les musiciens du ciel, a film with music by Arthur Honegger (48), is shown for the first time, in Paris.

April 16, 1940: Christophe Colomb, a radio drama by Arthur Honegger (48) to words of Aguet, is performed for the first time, over the airwaves of Radio Lausanne.

June 16, 1940: Arthur Honegger (48), his wife and three other couples leave Montquin and travel south to Saint-Hilaire-sur-Garonne where they have rented a house.

August 15, 1940: Arthur Honegger (48), in Saint-Hilaire-sur-Garonne, writes to Paul Sacher that he is not allowed to leave the area but hopes to get to Switzerland next month.

October 26, 1940: As the composer, his wife and child reach Paris from Saint-Hilaire-sur-Garonne, Nicolas de flue, a dramatic oratorio by Arthur Honegger (48) to words of de Rougemont, is performed for the first time, in a concert setting in Solothurn. See 31 May 1941.

April 2, 1941: Two plays with incidental music by Arthur Honegger (49) are performed for the first time, in Théâtre Monceau, Paris: La Mandragore by Machiavelli and L’Ombre de la ravine by Synge.

May 31, 1941: Nicolas de flue, a dramatic oratorio by Arthur Honegger (49) to words of de Rougemont, is staged for the first time, in Neuchâtel. See 26 October 1940.

June 21, 1941: Le mangeur de rêves, a ballet by Arthur Honegger (49) to a story by Lenormand, is performed for the first time, in Salle Pleyel, Paris.

July 1, 1941: Petit Cours de Morale for voice and piano by Arthur Honegger (49) to words of Giraudoux, is performed for the first time, in the Salle Gaveau, Paris.

July 5, 1941: Incidental music to Aeschylus’ play Les Suppliantes by Arthur Honegger (49) is performed for the first time, in Stade Roland-Garros, Paris. Also premiered is Honegger’s incidental music to Obey’s play 800 metres.

September 18, 1941: Incidental music to Machiavelli’s play La Mandragore by Arthur Honegger (49) is performed for the first time, in Théâtre Fontaine, Paris.

October 25, 1941: Incidental music to Roux’s play La Ligne d’horizon by Arthur Honegger (49) is performed for the first time, in the Théâtre des Bouffes-Parisiens, Paris.

November 15, 1941: Trois poèmes for voice and piano by Arthur Honegger (49), to words of Claudel, is performed for the first time, in the Salle Gaveau, Paris. Francis Poulenc (42) plays the piano part.

March 21, 1942: Saluste du Bartas, a cycle for voice and piano by Arthur Honegger (50) to words of de Montlaur, is performed for the first time, in the Salle Gaveau, Paris.

April 17, 1942: Three Psalms for voice and piano by Arthur Honegger (50) to words from the Huguenot Psalter is performed for the first time, in Paris.

May 9, 1942: Céline, a song for voice, flute, harp, and string trio by Arthur Honegger (50) to words of Aubry, is performed for the first time, in Paris.

May 18, 1942: Arthur Honegger’s (50) Symphony for Strings (Symphony no.2) is performed for the first time, in Zürich.

May 21, 1942: Le journal tombe à cinq heures, a film with music by Arthur Honegger (50), is shown for the first time, in Paris.

June 28, 1942: Petit Cours de Morale for voice and piano by Arthur Honegger (49) to words of Giraudoux, is performed for the first time, in the Salle Gaveau, Paris, Francis Poulenc (43) at the piano.

July 3, 1942: A suite from the music to the film Regain by Arthur Honegger (50) is performed for the first time, in Paris.

October 26, 1942: Arthur Honegger (50) meets Werner Egk (41) for the first time, in Paris. Egk is in town for a production of his Peer Gynt at the Opéra. He is an admirer of Honegger’s work.

December 9, 1942: Huit hommes dans un château, a film with music by Arthur Honegger (50), is shown for the first time, in Paris.

March 17, 1943: Secrets, a film with music by Arthur Honegger (51), is shown for the first time, in Paris.

April 20, 1943: La Capitaine Fracasse, a film with music by Arthur Honegger (51), is shown for the first time, in Paris.

October 9, 1943: O Salutaris for solo voice and organ by Arthur Honegger (51) is performed for the first time, in Église Saint-Séverin, Paris.

October 11, 1943: Incidental music to Giraudoux’ play Sodome et Gomorrhe by Arthur Honegger (51) is performed for the first time, in Théâtre Herbertot, Paris.

October 14, 1943: Mermoz, a film with music by Arthur Honegger (51), is shown for the first time, in Paris. The composer is conducting on the soundtrack.

November 3, 1943: Mermoz, a film with music by Arthur Honegger (51), is released in France.

November 25, 1943: Un seul amour, a film with music by Arthur Honegger (51), is shown for the first time, in Paris.

November 27, 1943: Incidental music to Claudel’s play Le Soulier de Satin by Arthur Honegger (51) is performed for the first time, in the Comédie-française, Paris.

May 18, 1944: Incidental music to Aguet’s radio play Battements du monde by Arthur Honegger (52) is performed for the first time, over the airwaves of Radio Lausanne. The work was composed in 1940.

May 21, 1944: Three of the Quatre chansons pour voix grave for voice and piano by Arthur Honegger (52) to words of Verlaine, Ronsard, and Aguet are performed for the first time, in the Salle du Conservatoire, Paris.

May 27, 1944: Incidental music to Morax’s play Charles Le Téméraire by Arthur Honegger (52) is performed for the first time, in the Théâtre du Jorat, Mézières.

August 26, 1944: World War II: The Red Army reaches the Danube east of Galati.
Bulgaria announces its withdrawal from the war and that German troops in Bulgaria will be disarmed.

Allied forces in Italy begin a general offensive. The British capture Pisa but the Germans hold their defensive line.

General de Gaulle leads a ceremonial parade through Paris. Arthur Honegger (52) records in his diary, “de Gaulle’s procession. Fighting in the Montmartre cemetery. German bombing.”

October 22, 1944: Chant de libération for baritone, unison chorus, and orchestra by Arthur Honegger (52) to words of Zimmer, is performed for the first time, at the Paris Conservatoire. The work was composed in 1942.

February 6, 1945: Robert Brasillach, editor of the collaborationist newspaper Je suis partout, is executed by order of Charles de Gaulle. Aghast that someone could be executed for intellectual activities, several prominent French artists and writers signed a petition to spare him, including Arthur Honegger (52), Paul Claudel, Paul Valéry, and Jean Cocteau.

July 9, 1945: L’appel de la montagne, a ballet by Arthur Honegger (53) to a story by le Bret, is performed for the first time, at the Paris Opéra. It is one of only four performances of Honegger’s music in Paris this year. See 14 November 1945.

November 14, 1945: Schwyzer Fäschttag for orchestra by Arthur Honegger (53) is performed for the first time, in Winterthur. It is an orchestral suite from his ballet L’appel de la montagne. See 9 July 1945.

November 19, 1945: Arthur Honegger’s (53) Sérénade à Angelique for small orchestra is performed for the first time, over the airwaves of Radio Zürich.

January 8, 1946: In an attempt to escape the difficult conditions of postwar Paris, Arthur Honegger (53) and his family depart for Switzerland.

February 19, 1946: Un ami viendra ce soir, a film with music by Arthur Honegger (53), is shown for the first time, in Paris.

April 9, 1946: Les demons de l’aube, a film with music by Arthur Honegger (54) is shown for the first time, in Madeleine-Cinema, Paris.

May 14, 1946: Chota rustaveli, a ballet by Arthur Honegger (54), Alexander Tcherepnin, and Tibor Harsányi, to a story by Evreinoff and Lifar after Roustaveli, is performed for the first time, in Monaco.

June 5, 1946: Incidental music to Aeschylus’ (tr. Bonnard) play Prométhée by Arthur Honegger (54) is performed for the first time, in an open air theatre in Avenches.

August 17, 1946: Arthur Honegger’s (54) Symphony no.3 “Symphonie liturgique” is performed for the first time, in the Zürich Tonhalle.

October 17, 1946: Incidental music to Shakespeare’s (tr. Gide) play Hamlet by Arthur Honegger (54) is performed for the first time, in the Théâtre Marigny, Paris.

October 18, 1946: Un revenant, a film with music by Arthur Honegger (54), is released in France. It was shown at the Cannes Film Festival in September.

January 21, 1947: Two works commissioned to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Basel Chamber Orchestra are performed for the first time, in Basel: Symphony no.4 by Arthur Honegger (54) and Toccata e due Canzoni by Bohuslav Martinu (56).

July 5, 1947: Arthur Honegger (55) flies from Europe to New York to take up residence for the summer at Tanglewood in the Berkshires.

July 6, 1947: Arthur Honegger (55) takes up residence at Tanglewood where he will be teaching this summer.

July 21, 1947: Arthur Honegger (55) visits the Mexican consulate in New York to obtain visas for a proposed Latin American tour. He suddenly feels ill and goes to see a doctor who prescribes that he go back to Tanglewood and do nothing but rest. He does.

August 22, 1947: During the night and again this morning, Arthur Honegger (55) suffers heart seizures at Tanglewood. He is hospitalized and appears grave.

August 30, 1947: Mme Vaura Honegger arrives from Paris at the hospital where Arthur Honegger (55) is recuperating from heart seizures.

September 1, 1947: Arthur Honegger’s (55) condition is much improved and he seems out of danger. He suffered heart seizures last week.

November 15, 1947: Arthur Honegger (55) and his wife arrive in Paris from his summer at Tanglewood which included a heart attack and months of recuperation.

November 21, 1947: Le Village Perdu, a film with music by Arthur Honegger (55), is shown for the first time, in Paris.

December 19, 1947: Incidental music to Sophocles’ (tr. by Obey) play Oedipus by Arthur Honegger (55) is performed for the first time, in the Théâtre des Champs-Elysées, Paris.

October 27, 1948: Incidental music to Camus’ play L’etat de siége by Arthur Honegger (56) is performed for the first time, in the Théâtre de Marigny, Paris at the premiere of the play.

November 3, 1948: Prelude, Fugue, Postlude for organ by Arthur Honegger (56) from his music for Amphion, is performed for the first time, in Geneva.

May 6, 1949: Concerto da Camera for flute, english horn, and string orchestra by Arthur Honegger (57) is performed for the first time, in Zürich.

June 22, 1949: La naissance des couleurs, a ballet by Arthur Honegger (57) to a story by Klausz and Morax, is performed for the first time, at the Paris Opéra.

December 3, 1949: Music for Aguet’s radio play Saint François d’Assise by Arthur Honegger (57) is performed for the first time, over the airwaves of Radio Lausanne. This composition is awarded the Swiss Radio Prize.

July 25, 1950: The European premiere of Olivier Messiaen’s (39) Turangalîla-Symphonie takes place in Aix-en-Provence. At the conclusion, members of the audience with differing opinions set upon each other. Arthur Honegger (58) and Roland-Manuel mix it up, as do Francis Poulenc (51) and Georges Auric.

February 28, 1951: Suite archaïque for orchestra by Arthur Honegger (58) is performed for the first time, in Louisville.

March 9, 1951: Symphony no.5 “Di tre re” by Arthur Honegger is performed for the first time, in Boston, the day before the composer’s 59th birthday.

June 12, 1951: Monopartita for orchestra by Arthur Honegger (59), commissioned to celebrate the 600th anniversary of the entrance of the canton of Zürich into the Helvetic Confederation, is performed for the first time, in the Tonhalle, Zürich.

October 3, 1951: Arthur Honegger (59) conducts for the last time, in a recording session of Le Roi David.

December 13, 1951: Incidental music to de Musset’s play On ne badine pas avec l’Amour by Arthur Honegger (59) is performed for the first time, in the Théâtre Marigny, Paris.

December 26, 1951: La Tour de Babel, a film with music by Arthur Honegger (59), is performed for the first time, in Paris.

December 30, 1951: La Rédemption de François Villon, a radio play by José Bruyr and music by Arthur Honegger (59), is performed for the first time, over the airwaves of Radio France originating in Paris. The recording was made on 12 December.

May 14, 1952: Incidental music to Sophocles’ (tr. Thierry Maulnier) play Oedipe-Roi by Arthur Honegger (60) is performed for the first time, in the Comédie-Française, Paris.

July 31, 1952: La Guirlande de Campra: Sept variations ou méditations sur un thème de son opéra for orchestra is performed for the first time, in Aix-en-Provence. Contributors include François Lesur, Roland-Manuel, Germaine Tailleferre, Henri Sauguet, Georges Auric, Arthur Honegger (60) and Francis Poulenc (53). Honegger’s offering is called Toccata, Poulenc’s is Matelote provençal.

October 28, 1953: While in Naples on an Italian sojourn, Arthur Honegger (61) suffers a worsening of his heart condition. A doctor orders him to return immediately to Paris.

December 18, 1953: Une cantate de Noël for baritone, children’s chorus, chorus, and organ by Arthur Honegger (61) is performed for the first time, in Basel.

September 28, 1954: Arthur Honegger (62) and his wife return to Paris for the last time. Since he is no longer able to take care of himself, she will move in with him. Even though they have been married since 1926, they have only spent about a year living together.

December 2, 1954: Arthur Honegger (62) is raised to the rank of Grand Officer in the Legion of Honor.

December 20, 1954: Giovanni d’Arco al rogo, a film with music by Arthur Honegger (62), is released in Italy.

November 27, 1955: 16:20 Arthur Honegger dies of a thrombosis, in his Paris home at 71 boulevard de Clichy in the Ninth Arrondissement, aged 63 years, eight months, and 17 days. Although very ill since a heart attack in 1947, the composer dies suddenly, in the arms of his wife.

December 2, 1955: A funeral in memory of Arthur Honegger takes place at the Temple de l’Oratoire, Paris. Afterwards, his mortal remains are cremated at Père Lachaise Cemetery. On the occasion, words are spoken by Jean Cocteau. (The ashes now rest at Cimitière St. Vincent, Paris.)